Machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes



v March 1, 1939; J. FINN. 2,149,391

MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOLES ON THE BOTTOMS 0F SHOES Filed Oct, 4, 1957 5 Sheets-Shee t 1 March 7, 1939. v

S. J. FINN MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOLES ON THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed Oc t. 4, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 7, 1939. s. J. FINN 2,149,391

MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOLES ON THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed Oct. 4, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 3 a 1:: v 2 2 I w a k 1 H WW o a 2 w H a; G WU I I. o a. p 2 w 1 0 40 m n w- 2 S. J. FINN March 7, 1939.

MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOLES ON THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed Oct. 4, 1957 5 She ets-She et 4 Margh 7, 1939. 5" J. FINN MACHINE FOR PRESSING SOLES ON THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Filed Oct. 4, 1957 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 I FigilS. I

Patented Mar. 7, 1939 U ED STATES PATENT OFFICE MACHINE FOR PRESSING SO ES ON THE BOTTOMS OF SHOES Application October 4, 1937, Serial Nam- 167,171 29 Glaims. (01. 12-536) This invention relates to machines for use in the manufacture of shoes for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes. The invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a sole laying machine .of

the type in which shoe supporting means and a sole laying'member or pad shaped to conform substantially'to the contour of the bottom of a shoe are relatively movable to press the sole and shoe togetheiz'but it is-tobe understood that in various novel aspects the invention is not limited to machines for performing sole laying operations. a In one important aspect the invention provides a novel construction and arrangement of means for positioning shoes of different sizes in substantially the same I relation lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe to the sole pressing means and for. determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to thebottom' of the shoe, and means for positioning the sole at the forepart laterally of the sole pressing means. In the machine herein shown the arrangement is such that the positions of the shoe and sole-are determined when the shoe supporting meansis in a shoe receiving position bydevices that are movable intoshoe and sole engaging positions by movement of a single controlling member further movement of which starts power-operated means that moves the supporting means to a position opposite to the sole pressing pad and thereafter effects relative movement of the supporting means and the pad to press the sole and shoe together after they have been thus positioned. For determining the positions of the shoe and sole the machine herein shown has a pair of a devices for engaging the shoe at its toe and heel ends, the heel-end engaging device being shaped to embrace the heel end ofthe shoe and to position it in that location in proper relation widthwise of the shoe to the sole pressing pad and the toe end engaging 4 device having formed thereon an abutment for determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to theshoe bottom, and separate pairs of devices for engaging the shoe and sole. respectively at the opposite sides at the forepart to centralize the shoe and'sole laterally of the pressing pad. Preferably and as illustrated, the construction is such that with the shoe supporting means in position opposite to the pressing pad each shoe is located by the toe and heel end engaging devices with the junction of its forepart and shank portions substantially in aline- "ment with the junction of the forepart and-shank pressing portions of the pressing pad, thus insurying bestresults in-the laying of solesbythe use of a shaped pa In the machineherein shown the shoe and last are supported bottom upward "for the sole laying operation by a toe support which is arranged to engage the top o f--t he;forepart of the shoe and a heel-end support-for engaging the topof the cone 5 of the "last. Thetoe and heel-endsupports are movable lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoesof: different sizes and are also mounted for swinging movement heightwise of the shoe to vary their relativepositions for shoes of different sizes. 10 Inaccordance with one feature of the invention there is provided mechanism operative in response to movement of the toe and heel-end engagingqdevices into shoe engaging positions for moving the toe and heel-end supports into posi- 15 tions-to engage 'each'shoe and last in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the ,shoe, additionalmechanismbeing provided in accordance-with a further-feature of the invention for varying the relative heightwise positions of the 20 toe and heel-end supports in accordance with variations in thickness between the foreparts and the heel ends of 'lasts of different sizes to cause each last=to be positioned with its bottomface at 'the toe and heel ends in substantially the same ,25 heightwise relationtothe sole pressing pad.

In accordance with another feature of the invention there is: provided novel means acting through the pressing pad inthe solepressing operation-to applydiiferent pressures to different portions of the sole. The pressing pad is-preferably made of flexible material, such as rubber, molded approximatelyto conform to the contour ofthe bottom'of ashoe and, as herein illustrated,

is supported-bya fiexiblecontainer having sepa- '35 rate-fluid-iilled chambers separated by a rib extending laterally ofthe shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank pressing portions of the pressing pad. As herein shown, means is provided for confining the flexible container constructed. to expose a portion of one wall of each of the fluid-filled chambers of :the container, and engaging the exposed portions fof the walls of the chambers are .plungers which are acted upon by separate spring means to apply v4:5 different pressures through the fluid-filled chambers tothe forepart andlshankpressing portions ofthe pressingpad inthe' pressing operation.

The above and other features of the invention, including novel means for locking the positioning 50 devices in shoe and sole-engaging positions and variousnovel details of construction and combinations of partswill now be more particularly described by reference to the accompanying drawings andthereafter pointed out in the'claims. 55

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a machine in which the invention is embodied, with a portion of the structure broken away;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in left-hand side elevation and partly in section of the machine shown in Fig. 1, with parts broken away;

Fig. 3 is a detail plan view illustrating the positioning of a shoe and sole by the shoe and sole engaging devices of the machine;

Fig. 4 is a view on an enlarged scale of the lower portion of the structure shown in Fig. 2, partly in elevation and partly in section;

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the mechanism shown in Fig. 4

Fig. 6 is a view in side elevation on an enlarged scale of the upper portion of the shoe supporting jack with the parts in the positions that they assume before the jacking operation;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 6 illustrating the positions of the parts after the jacking operation;

Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 6;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 with the parts in shoe and sole engaging positions;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged view partly in front elevation and partly in section of the upper portion of the machine shown in Fig. 1, illustrating more fully the mounting of the pressing pads;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view showing a portion of the mechanism for operating the gaging devices for locating the shoe and sole laterally of the sole pressing pad;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line XII-XII of Fig.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of parts shown in Fig. 11; I

Figs. 14 and 15 are detail view of portions of the mechanism for operating the shoe and sole gaging devices;- 7

Fig. 16 shows partly in plan and partly in section the means for locking the gaging devices in shoe and sole engaging positions;

Fig. 17 is a perspective View of a portion of the mechanism for operating the gaging devices for locating the shoe lengthwise of the pressing pad; and

Fig. 18 is a vertical section laterally of the machine through the pressing pads and their supporting means and illustrating the mechanism for applying pressure to the forepart engaging portions of the pads.

The machine herein shown is a twinmachine having two sets of instrumentalities arranged side by side for operating respectively on shoes in difierent locations in the machine. As illustrated, each of the two sets of instrumentalities comprises sole pressing means and a shoe support or jack that is movable from a shoe and last receiving position rearwardly to a position opposite to the sole pressing means and is movable thereafter relatively to the sole pressing means to press the sole and shoe together. Separate mechanisms that are substantial duplicates of each other are provided for operating the two sets alternately, whereby one shoe is subjected to pressure simultaneously with the release from pressure of another shoe previously operated upon. Since the two sets of instrumentalities are constructed substantially alike except that they are used to operate respectively on right and left shoes, the present description will be confined, for the most part, to that set and its operating mechanism which is 'at the left-hand side of the machine.

The illustrated machine is provided with a base 20 having upwardly extending side portions 22 which support, near their upper ends, a pad box 24 (Figs. 1, 2 and 10) in which there are mounted side by side the sole pressing means of the two sets of instrumentalities. The pad box is separated longitudinally by a central rib 26 (Figs. 10 and 18) to form two rectangularly shaped hollow recesses in each of which is mounted an elastic pad 28 of rubber or other suitable material shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the bottom of a shoe, and a flexible container or pad 30 having two liquid filled chambers 32, 34 (Fig. 2) for supporting the forepart and the shank and heel-end portions, respectively, of the pad 28. The chambers 32, 34 are separated by a rib 36 extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank pressing portions of the pad 28. The rib 36 and the walls of the pad 36 are of a rubber composition reinforced by one or more layers of canvas or other suitable fabric. The pads 28 and 30 are held in place in the pad box by clamps 38 fastened to the pad. box by screws 40 and extending inwardly to engage the ends of the pad 28 beyond that portion that is engaged by the sole of the shoe. For closing the top side of the pad box 24 to confine the pads 36 there is provided a cover plate 42 secured to the side portions 22 of the frame by screws 64. The cover plate 42 is provided with recesses 65 and ll for exposing a portion of each of the upper walls 56, 52 of the chambers 30, 32 and slidably mounted in these recesses are plungers 46, 48 for engaging respectively the exposed portions of the walls 50, 52. Pivotally connected to the cover plate 42 are arms 51, 56 engaging, respectively, near their pivotal connections to the cover plate upwardly extending stems 58, 60 formed on the plungers 46, 48. Pivotally connected to the outer ends of the arms 54 are rods 62 (Fig. 18), and to the outer ends of the arms 56 are rods 64 (Fig. 10), these rods extending downwardly through enlarged openings in bosses 66 on the side portions 22. The rods 62, 64 are surrounded respectively by comparatively long springs 67, 68, each of which engages at its upper end the boss 66 and is supported at its lower end by a washer l0 and a nut and lockn'ut l2 threaded on the lower end of the rod. It will be evident that as the shoe support is moved relatively to the pad 28 to bring the sole of a shoe on the support into engagement with the pad and to apply pressure to the sole, the springs 61 and 68 tend to hold the plungers 46 and 48 against upward movement in response to pressure of the shoe on the pad. The springs 61 and 68 are of different capacities to cause different pressures tobe applied through each pad 28 to different portions of the sole, the springs 68 being preferably heavier than the springs 6'! so that greater pressure is applied to the shank portions of the sole than to the forepart. It will be evident also that by adjustment of the nut and locknuts 12 the initial pressures applied to different portions of the sole can be varied relatively at will. Preferably also, and as illustrated, the springs 61 and 68 are sufliciently long so that their lengths maybe varied by such comparatively small movements as may be imparted to the plungers 46 and 48 as the pad 28 conforms itself more closely to the contour of the shoe bottom 'without increasing substantially the initial pull of the springs on the arms 56, 56. Thus substantially the same pressure is applied through each pad 28 per unit of area to the forepart and to i a ,is mounted on a slide 84 foradjustment height- :the shank .and 'heeliendzportions of the soles of shoes of diflferent. sizes .and' styles.

The shoe support or jack-ofea'ch set of instruzmentalities 'co'mprisesa toe support or rest 14 for engaging the top of the forepart of the shoe and a heel support 16 for engaging the top of the cone .of the last (Figs. 2,. .6 and '7). The toe rest 14 comprises a rubber roll 18 mounted torotate [freely on a stud 80 supportedby the upwardly extending armsofabifurcated member 82 which wise of theshoeand is held in adjusted position .by a bindingscrew86. 'I'he.heel support 16 is mounted on a second slide for adjustment heightwise of the shoe, a binding stud 90'being provided for holding it in. adjusted position (Figs. 6and 7). The slides. and 88 aremovable in directions lengthwise of the shoe on a bar 92 that is pivotally connected at 94 adjacent to the toe end of the shoe to an upwardly extending arm. 96 on aholder. 98 that is movable in directionsheightwiseof the shoe in guideways formed in a. carrier I00 which is pivotally connected at I102 (Figs. 2and 4) to the base 20 and in the power operation of themachine is swung from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly to a substantially vertical position to carry the shoe sup- ;port from a shoe and last receiving position to a position opposite to the sole-pressing pad 20. :Mounted for movement in directions lengthwise .of the shoe on guideways formed on the upper .end of the holderi98-is a short slide I04 (Figs. 6 and 1).for supporting the opposite end of the :bar 92 The illustrated machine is provided with means forpositioning each shoe on the supporting meansin proper lengthwise and widthwise re- :lation to the sole-pressing means, comprising devices for engaging the toe end and. the heel end of the shoe and otherdevices for engaging the opposite sides of the shoe at the ball of the shoe. The devices for engagingthe toe end and the heel end of the shoe, indicated generally at I06 and I08 (Figs. 6 and '7), are mounted respectively on upwardly extending arms II 0, H2 of bell-crank levers I I4, I I6 that. are pivotally connected to the carrier I00 for swinging movementsabout axes extending laterally of the shoe and located equal distances at opposite sides of the axis I02 of-the carrier I00. In the machine herein shown, swinging movements of equal extent but-in opposite directions are imparted to the bell-crank levers I14, I I6 by means hereinafter described, to move :the devices I06 ,and I08 toward each other into engagement with the toe end and the heel end of theshoe. Whenthe carrier I00 hasbeen swung into a substantially vertical position each shoe is thus centralized withrespect to the axis or the carrier which is so located lengthwise of the shoe relatively to the sole pressing pad 28 that each shoe is located in proper lengthwise relation to the pad, that is, with'thejunction of its forepart land shank portions substantially opposite the junction of the forepart and shank pressing portions of the pad 28. The device I06 comprises a slide II8 that is movable lengthwise of the arm H0 in a guideway formed in the arm and is up- :held by a spring I20 with the reduced end portion 'mem'ber I30 pivotally connected to the arm II 2 at its upper end and arranged to engage the shoe :at the opposite sides of its heel end. The member I30 is held against swinging movement relatively to the arm H2 in position toembrace the heel end of'the shoe by means of a spring-pressed plunger I3I in the arm II2 engaging a recess I33 in the member I30.

The bell-crank levers II4, I I6 are provided respectively with inwardly extending arms I32, I34

of equal lengths and connected to the arms are equal links I36 that are pivotally connected together and to the upper end of a rod I38 by means of a pivot pin I 40 carried by a short slide I.4I .(Fig. 1'1) mounted in a guideway in the carrier I00. The lower end portion of the rod I38 .is surrounded by a sleeve I42 (Fig, that is bored centrally to receive the rod and also an upwardly extending rod I44 pivotallyconnected by means of a pivot pin I46 to a treadle I48 that is pivotally connected at I50 to the base (Figs. 2 and 4). Surrounding the sleeve I42 and connected at one end to the pivot pin I40 and at the other end to the pivot pin I46 is a tension spring I52 which tends to hold the two rods I38, I44 in engagement with each other when the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 2 with the treadle I48 in its uppermost position determined by engagement of an adjustable stop, illustrated as a screw I54, carried by the treadle with a portion of the base 20. A spring I56 connected at one end to the treadle and at the other end to the base-20 tends to swing the treadle in a direction to hold the stop I54 in engagement with the base. Depression of the treadle I48 acts through the spring I52 and the links I36 to swing .the bell-crank levers H4 and H6 in directions to move the devices I06, I08 toward each other to clamp the shoe and last therebetween, the spring I 20 yielding to permit the device I06 to adjust itself relatively to the arm IIO of the bell-crank lever II4 with the plate I28 in engagement with the top of the toe end of the shoe and the block I26 engaging the toe end face of the shoe.

The devices for engaging the opposite sides of the shoe at the ball of the shoe comprise upwardly extending arms I58, I60 (Figs. 8 and 9) that are substantially the same length and are pivotally connected, respectively, at I62, I64 to outwardly extending ears I66 on the carrier I00. The arms I58, I60 are provided respectively with downwardly extending portions I68, I10 of equal lengths that are connected by equal links I12 to a short slide I14 movable heightwise of the shoe in a guideway I16 formed in the carrier I00 (Fig. 16). A spring I18 connected at one end to a pin I80 which projects from the slide I14 and forms the pivot for the links I12 and, at the other end, to a pin I82 projecting from a second slide I84 mounted in the guideway I16, tends to hold the slide I14 in engagement with an abutment I15 on the slide I84 (Figs. 11 and 13). The slides I14 and I84 are free to move relatively to each other in the guideway I 16 and are held in the guideway ,by a cover plate I85 that extends across the lower portion of the guideway and is secured to the carrier by screws I81 (Fig. 2). Pivotally connected to the lower end of the slide I84 by a pivot pin I86 is a rod I88 slidable in a bushing I90 into which extends a rod I92 (Fig. 14) pivotally connected by means of a pivot pin I94 to the treadle 1I48. A spring I96 surrounds the bushing I90 and is connected at its upper end to the pin I86 and at its lower end to the pin I94. When the treadle I48 isin its uppermost position the two rods I88,

I92 are held in engagement with each other by the spring I96 with the arms I58, I60 in their outermost positions, as shown in Fig. 8. It will be evident that, as the treadle I48 is depressed to move the devices I06, I08 into engagement with the toe and heel ends of the shoe, the arms I58, I 80 are swung toward each other into engagement with the shoe at the opposite sides of the ball portion, the construction being such that the forepart of the shoe is thus centralized with respect to the pressing pad 28.

To assist in positioning the sole accurately with respect to the shoe bottom the illustrated machine is provided with separate devices for engaging the edge of the sole at the toe end and at the opposite sides at the ball of the shoe. For engaging the sole at the opposite sides at the ball of the shoe there are provided upwardly extending arms I98, 200 (Figs. 8 and 9), that are pivotally connected to the carrier I for swinging movements toward and from each other about the same axes I82, I64 as the above-mentioned arms I58, I80, Formed on the arms I98, 200 are downwardly extending portions 202, 204 of equal lengths that are connected to the slide I84 by equal links 206. As the slide I84 is moved downwardly by depression of the treadle the arms I98, 200 are swung toward each other into engagement with the edge of the sole to centralize its forepart portion with respect to the shoe bottom and the sole pressing pad 28. By reference to the drawings it will be seen that the downwardly extending portions 202, 204 of the arms I98, 200 are longer than the downwardly extending portions I88, I of the arms I88, I30 so that the arms I58, I69 complete theirinward swinging movements to position the shoe laterally of the pad 28 before the arms I98, 200 have been swung toward each other far enough to engage the opposite edges of the sole, the spring I'IB yielding as the slide I84 is moved relatively to the slide "It to swing the arms I98, 200 into engagement with the opposite edges of the sole in the continued downward movement of the 'treadle. For engaging the edge of the sole at the toe end to determine the lengthwise position of the sole relatively to the shoe bottom there is secured to the slide IE8 a separate contacting member or gage 208.

The lengthwise position of each shoe in the machine, as hereinbefore stated, is determined by engagement of the devices I08 and I08 with the toe end and the heel end of the shoe, these devices being moved toward each other by the swinging of the bell-crank levers II 4, I I8 about their pivotal connections tothe carrier I80 to clamp the last and shoe between them in response to depression of the treadle I48. This arrangement is utilized to effect an adjustment lengthwise of the shoe of the toe rest 74 and heel support It to position them; for engagement with each shoe and last in substantially the same relation to the shoe. As shown in Figs 6 and 7 the slides 84 and 88 on which the toe rest and heel support are mounted are connected, respectively, by links 2I2 and 2I4 to the oppositely extending arms 2 I8 and 2 I8 of a lever 220 mounted to turn on a shouldered stud 222 carried by the bar 92. Pivotally connected to the upper end of the arm 2I8 of the lever is a link 224 connected at its opposite end to the upwardly extending arm IIO of the bell-crank lever II4. As the bell-crank lever I I4 is swung in a direction to move the device I06 into engagement with the toe end of the shoe a swinging movement in a clockwise direction (Fig. 6) is imparted to the lever 220 to move the slides 84and 88 toward each other along the bar 92 to adjust the positions of the toe rests 14 and heel supports 76 in accordance with the length of the shoe being operated upon. The

lengths of the links 2I I, 2I4 and the effective lengths of the arms 2I6 and 2I8 for moving the slides 84 and 88 through the links are such that when thedevices I06, I08 have been moved into engagement with the toe and heel ends of each shoe the toe rest I4 will have been moved into position to engage the top of the forepart of the shoe at or near the tip line and the heel support I6 will have been moved into a position in which it engages the top of the cone of the last substantially midway between the heel breast line of the shoe and the heel-end face of the last.

In the illustrated construction, the slide I 04 for supporting the free end of the pivoted bar 92 has a forwardly and upwardly inclined face 226 arranged to be engaged by a rounded projection 228 on the bar. The slide I04 is connected to the arm 2) of the lever 220 by a link 230 so that in response to clockwise swinging movement of the lever 220 the slide I04 is moved along the holder 98 toward the toe end of the shoe and by reason of the inclination of its face 226 acts to swing the bar 92 relatively to the holder in a direction to raise the toe rest and heel support. It will be evident that since the bar 92 is pivoted at 98 to the holder 98 adjacent to the toe end of the shoe, as it is thus swung the heel support receives a greater upward movement than the toe rest. Preferably the inclination of the face 226 of the slide I04 is such that as movements of different extent are imparted to the devices I08 and I88 to position shoes of different sizes in substantially the same lengthwise relation to the sole pressing means the heightwise positions of the toe rest and heel support are varied in accordance with variations in thickness between the foreparts and the heel ends of lasts. of different sizes so that the bottom face of each last at the toe and heel ends will be positioned at substantially the same height irrespective of the size of the last.

For imparting to each carrier I00 its rearward swinging movement there is provided any arm 232 (Fig. 4) pivotally connected at 234 to the base 20 of the machine and carried by this arm is a cam roll 236 arranged to engage a path cam 238 formed in one face of a cam wheel 240 fast to a shaft 242 extending laterally of the machine and mounted to turn in suitable bearings in the base 20. At its upper end the arm 232 is. connected by a link 244 to the carrier I00. The shape of the cam 238 is such that substantially at the beginning of the power operation of the machine the arm 232 is swung in a direction to swing the carrier from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly to a substantially vertical position beneath the sole pressing pad 28. As the carrier completes its rearward swinging movement the holder 98 and the shoe support are moved upwardly, by means which will presently be described, to bring the sole of a shoe on the support into engagement with the pad 28 and to apply pressure to the sole before the machine comes to: rest. In the next operation of the machine the shoe is released from pressure by downward movement of the holder, and the carrier is swung outwardly to its initial position simultaneously with the application of pressure to a shoe by thev other twin mechanism of the machine. Upward movement is impart'ed to the l holder 98 by means of a toggle comprising links 245 and 246, the links beingpivotally'connected together by a pivot stud 248 and the link 244 being connected at its upper end to the'holder 98. The link 246 is pivotally connected at its lower end to the carrier I88 and between its'ends isconnected by a link 258 toan eccentrically mounted stud 252 on the cam wheel 248.

Through these connections the eccentric stud 252 acts to straightenjthe toggle 244; 246 after the cam 238 has swung the'arm. 232 far enough to the left (Fig. 4) to move the carrier I88 from its forwardly inclined position rearwardly to a substantially vertical position. Straightening of the toggle links 244, 246 acts to raise the holder 98 and the shoe support to bring the sole of a shoe on the support into engagement with the pad 28 and to apply pressure to the sole.

The machine is operated by an electric motor 254 (Fig. 5) connected by a belt 256 to a pulley 258 slidably mounted for lengthwise movement on a shaft 288 which extends from the front to the rear of the machineand is supported by suitable bearings in the base 28and at itsrear end by a bracket 262 secured by screws 264 to the base. The pulley 258 is provided with a friction clutch face 266 (Fig. 4) arranged to cooperate with a clutch member 268 fast on the shaft 268'. A spring 218 surrounding the shaft 268 between the clutch member 268 and the pulley 258 tends to move the pulley out of engagement with the clutch member and to hold it in engagement with a shoulder 212 on the bracket 262. The hub of the pulley 258 is providedwith an annular groove 214 into which extends pins 218 carried by the downwardly extending arms 288 of a pair of bell crank levers 282 that are pivotally connectedat opposite sides of the pulley to an upwardly extending arm 284 of the bracket 262. Each bellcrank' lever 282 has a forwardly extending arm 286 connected by a toggle comprising links 288 and 298 to one of the treadles I48 of the twin mechanisms of the machine; The links 288, 298' of each toggle are held in substantially parallel relation by a; spring 292 and each link 298' has. formed therein a lengthwise slot 294 through which extends a pin 296 carried by its associated it treadle. Fast on the shaft 260 is a worm 298 the teeth of which mesh'with the teeth of a worm wheel 388 fast to the cam shaft 242.

When the operator depresses the treadle I48 associated with that set of instrumentalities the shoe support of which is in shoe and last receiving position, the pin 296 is moved "upwardly into engagement with. the link 298 at the upper end of the slot 284 and since the toggle links 288, 298 are in substantially parallel relation at this time the bell-crank lever 282 is swung in a direction to move the pulley 258 against the resistance of the spring 218 along the shaft 268 and into engagement with the clutch member 268 to start the operation of'the machine. For stopping the machine with a shoeunder pressurethere is provided a roll 382 (Figs. 4 and .5) carried by the cam wheel 248 and arranged to engage a forwardly extending finger 384 on the toggle link 288 and to swing the toggle links 288, 298 into non-parallel relation, thereby releasing the pulley 258 to the action of the spring 218 for movement out of engagement with the clutch member 268. It is at this time in. the cycle when the treadle is released by theoperator. It will be understood that the finger 384 is. thus engaged by the roll 382 after the carrier I88 has completed its rearward swinging movement and the toggle links 244, 246 have been moved into parallel relation to raise the shoe support to press the sole of a shoe on the support against the pad 28. It will be understood also that as the carrier I88 of one set of instrumentalities isswung rearwardly and the toggle links 244, 246'are moved into substantially parallel relation to raise the holder 98 and the shoe support of that set, the toggle links 244, 246 of the other set are moved into nonparallel relation and the carrier I88 of the other set is swung outwardly to its initial position, the cam 238, the eccentric stud 252, and the roll 382 on one cam wheel 248, being spaced apart 180 from the corresponding parts on the other cam wheel so that the shaft 242 is automatically disconnected from the drive pulley 258 at the end of each half revolution of the shaft with a shoe under pressure in one half of the machine and the shoe support of the other half in a shoe and last receiving position. v

As previously pointed out, after the carrier I 88 has been swung from itsforwardly inclined position rearwardly to a substantially vertical position beneath thepressing pad 28 the holder 88 is moved upwardly by the straightening of the toggle'links 244, 246 to bring the sole of a shoe on the supporting means into engagement with the pad 28 and to apply pressure to the sole. As the holder is moved upwardly the shoe and sole are moved out of engagement with the devices for locating the shoe and sole in proper lengthwise and widthwise relation to the pad 28 and to each other. As the shoe and soleare thus moved out of engagement with the gaging devices-the springs I52, I18 and I96 tend to swing the devices farther inward toward each other and in order to avoid any interference between these devices and the shoe and sole as the shoe is-released from pressure by the downward movement of the holder 98 in the next operation of the machine there" is provided means forlocking the shoe and sole engaging devices frlctionally in shoe and sole engaging positions until after the holder has completed its downward movement to return the shoe supporting means to its initial position. This means comprises friction devices illustrated as spring-pressed plungers 386, 388 (Fig. 16) slidably mounted in recesses (H8 in a support 3I2 secured to a rib 3I4 extending laterally of the machine between the upwardly extending portions 22 of thebase 28. Within the recesses 3I8 the plungers 386, 388 are surrounded by springs 3 I6 which act on the plungers to'hold them with pins 3I8 carried by the plungers in engagement with the rear face 328 of the support 312. In the rearward movement of the carrier I88, the plungers 386 and 388 are moved relatively to the support 3I2 against the resistance of the springs 3I6 by engagement respectively with the slide I84 and a pin 322in' the carrier- I88, which pin serves as an extension of the plunger 388 in engagement With the slide MI. The pin 322 is slidably mounted in the carrier and is provided with a lengthwise slot into which extends a locking pin 324 fast in the carrier (Fig. 17). As the carrier I88 completes its movement into position beneath the pad .28 the spring-pressed plunger 386 acts to press the slide I84 hard against the slide I'M and the spring-pressed plunger 388 acts to press the pin 3I4 hard against the slide I4I. It will be evident that with the slides I4I, I14 and I38 held frictionally against movement relatively to the carrier the devices I86 and I88 and the arms I58, I68 and I98, 288' are held substantially in shoe and sole engaging positionsuntil after the shoe supporting means has been lowered 'by downward movement of the holder 98 and the carrier has been swung far enough forwardly to move the slide I84 and the pin 3! 4 out of engagement with .the plungers 306 and 808. It will be understood that the operator will have released the treadle after the toggle links 245 and 246 have been moved into parallel and the pulley 258 has been released to the action of the spring 210 for movement out of engagement with the clutch member 268 so that the springs I52 and I96 and the spring I56 will have moved the treadle upwardly far enough to bring the rods I44 and I92 into abutting relation to the rods I38 and I88. Thereafter, when the slides I4I, I14 and I84 are released for movement relatively to the carrier, as above described, the spring I56 acts to swing the treadle farther upwardly to its initial position. As the treadle is thus swung it acts through the rods I44 and I38, slide MI and levers II4, II6 to move the devices I06 and I08 away from eachother into the positions shown in Fig. 6 and through the rods I92, I88 and slide I84 to swing the arms I58 and I60 into the positions shown in Fig. 8, the arms. I98, 200 being also swung outwardly to their initial positions in the upward movement of the slide I84 by engagement of the abutment II5 on the slide I 84 with the slide I'I4. It will be evident that with the slide I4I locked against movement relatively to the carrier I00 to hold the device I06 in shoe engaging position, no movement out of adjusted positions will be imparted to the toe rest I4 and heel support I6 during the relative movements of the holder 98 and the pad 28 to apply pressure to the shoe and to release the pressure except such slight movement as there may be imparted to the toe rest and heel support due to the rocking of the lever 220 about its pivot'222 by reason of the swinging of the link 224 relatively to the arm I I0. The arrangement of the parts is such, however, that as the holder 98 is moved upwardly to bring the sole of the shoe on the supporting means into engagement with the pad 28 and to apply pressure to the sole the pivotal connection between the link 224 and the lever 220 will be moved substantially the same distance from. a position below the pivotal connection of the link to the arm IIO to a position above that pivotal connection so that the toe rest I4 and heel support I6 at the end of the upward movement of the holder 98 will be in substantially the positions determined by the engagementof the dvice I06 with the toe end of the shoe.

In the operation of the machine, briefly sum? marized, the operator will place a shoe and last on that support which is in its outermost position and by depression of the appropriate treadle I48 will move the devices I06 and I08 into engagement with the toe end and the heel end of the shoe to position the shoe in predetermined lengthwise relation to the pad 28 and will move the devices I58, I60 into engagement with the shoe at the opposite sides of .the ball of the shoe to position the shoe laterally of the pad. As the devices I06 and I08 are moved intopositions to engage the toe and heel ends of the shoe the toe rest I4 and the heel support I6 in response to the swinging of the lever 220 are adjusted lengthwise of the last into positions to engage the top of the forepart of the shoe at or near the tip line and the top of the cone of the last substantially midway between the heel breast line and the heel-end face of the last and are also adjusted heightwise of the last to position the last with its bottom face in predetermined heightwise relation to the holder 98. 'The operator will then take a sole of the correct size, one face of which has been previously coated with an adhesive, whether a right or a left, from a rack A which, as illus-- trated, is mounted on the cover plate 42 within easy reach of the operators hand, and will place the sole on the bottom of the shoe with the adhesively coated face of the sole in engagement with the bottom of the shoe at the forepart and the edge face of the sole at the toe end against the gage 208 and by further downward movement of the treadle will swing the devices i98, 208- into engagement with the edge of the sole at the" opposite sides at the ball of the shoe to position the sole laterally of the pad 28 and the shoe. The operator will then press the sole against the bottom of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe to cause it to adhere thereto, after which, by further depression of the treadle I48, the pin 296 is moved into engagement with the link 298 at the upper end of the slot 294 to move the driving pulley 258 into engagement with the clutch member 268 to start the operation of the machine. Substantially at the beginning of the operation of the machine the carrier I00 at that side at which the operator is Working is swung from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly to a substantially vertical position to position the shoe and last opposite to the sole pressing pad 28 with the junction of the forepart and shank portions of the shoe and sole substantially in alinement with the junction of the forepart and shank pressing portions of the pad 28, and the holder 98 and the shoe support are raised to bring the sole of the shoe on the support into engagement with the pad 28 and to apply pressure to the sole. As the shoe support is raised the shoe and sole are moved out of engagement with the devices I06 and I08 and the arms I58, I60 and I98, 200, which as previously described are held against movement out of shoe and sole engaging positions by the locking of the slides I4I I14 and I84, and substantially at the time when the toggle links 244, 246 have been moved into substantially parallel relation the finger 304 is engaged by the roll 302 to move the toggle links 288 and 290 into non-parallel relation and thereby to release the driving pulley 258 to the action of the spring 210 to stop the operation of the machine with the shoe under pressure. When the machine is next started the holder 98 and the shoe support are lowered to return the shoe and sole into engagement with the devices I06 and I08 and the arms I58, I60 and I98, 200 after which the carrier I00 is swung outwardly to initial position, the slides I4I, I14 and I84 being unlocked in the outward movement of the carrier to permit the devices I06 and I08 and the arms I58, I60 and I98, 290 to be returned to their initial positions.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination. with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last bottom upward for the sole pressing operation, means for positioning each shoe and last on said supporting means in substantially the same relation lengthwise and widthwise to said sole pressing means and for determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to the "bottom, of the shoe, and 'separate means for 'positloningzthesole :at the forepart laterally of the sole pressing means.

2. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last bottom upward for 'thesole pressing operation, means for positioning each shoe and'last on said supporting means in substantially the same relation lengthwise and widthwise to said sole pressing means and for determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to the bottom of the shoe, means for centralizing the sole at the forepart laterally oi" the sole pressing means, and means for effecting relative movement of the supporting means and the sole pressing means to press the sole and shoe together after they have been thus positioned.

3. In a 'machine'for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means,'of means for supporting a shoe and its last bottom'upward for the sole pressing opshoe and an unattached sole to position them in proper relation lengthwise and widthwise to said solepressingmeans, and means for moving the supporting 'means relatively to said positioning means to lbring the sole into engagement with the sole pressing means and to press the sole and shoe together after they have been thus posi tioned.

4. In a machine forpressing soles on the bottoms of shoesgthe combination with sole pressing means, of means for clamping a shoe to position it in proper lengthwise and Widthwise relation to said sole pressing means, gaging means carried by said clamping means for determining the lengthwise position of an ,unattached sole with respect to the shoe bottom, separate means for clamping the'sole at the opposite sides at the ball of the shoe to position it in that location in proper widthwise relation to the sole pressing means, and shoe supporting means for moving the shoe and sole after they have been thus positioned out of engagement with said clamping means and relatively to said sole pressing means to press the-soleand shoe together.

5. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supportinga shoe and its last bottom upward for the sole pressing operation, devices for engaging the shoe at the toe end and at the heel end, said devices being movable toward each other lengthwise of the shoe to clamp the shoe between them and to position it in proper lengthwise relation to said sole pressing means, an abutment. carried by said toe end engaging device for determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to the shoe bottom, separate pairs of devices for engaging the shoe and sole respectively at the opposite sides at the ballof the shoe to centralize the shoe .and sole laterally of the sole pressing means, and

position it in proper relation to said sole pressing means by engagement with the 'shoe at its toe and he'el'ends and at "the opposite sides at the ball of theshoe, an abutment carried by one of said devices for determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to the shoe bottom, separate devices for positioning the sole at the forepart laterally of the sole pressing means, means to lock said devices in shoe and sole engaging positions, and means for moving the supporting means relatively to said devices to bring the sole into engagement with said sole pressing means and to press the sole and shoe together after they have been thus positioned.

7. -In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with a pressing pad shaped to conform substantially to the heightwise curvature of the bottom of a shoe, of means for supporting a shoe and its last bottom upward for the sole pressing operation comprising toe and heel-end supports, devices movable toward each other lengthwise of the shoe to clamp the last and shoe between them and to position the shoe in proper relation lengthwise of the shoe to said-pressing pad, one of said devices being shaped to embrace the heel end of the shoe and to position it in that location in proper relation widthwise of the shoe to said pressing pad andthe other one of said devices having an abutment for engaging the toe end face of the shoe and a separate abutment for determining the position of an unattached sole lengthwise of the shoe bottom, separate pairs of devices for enga ing the shoe and sole respectively at the opposite sides at the ball of the shoe to centralize the shoe and sole in that location laterally of the pressing pad, means to lock said devices in shoe and sole engaging positions, and means for effecting relative movement of the toe and heel-end supports and the pad to; press the sole and shoe together after they have been thus positioned.

8. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of devices for engaging a shoe at its toe and heel ends and at the opposite sides at the forepart to position the shoe in proper lengthwsie and widthwise relation to said sole pressing means, an abutment carried by one of said devices for determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to the bottom of the shoe, separaterdevices for engaging the sole at the opposite sides at the ball of the shoe to position it in'that location laterally of the sole p-ress ing means, means for locking said devices in shoe and sole engaging positions, and means for moving the shoe and sole after they have been thus 51 1 positioned out of engagement with said devices and relatively to said sole pressing means to press the shoe and sole together and for returning the shoe and'sole into engagement with said devices while they remain locked.

9. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last for the sole pressing operation, said supporting means being movable relatively to said sole pressing means to press the shoe and sole together, a carrier on which said supporting means is mounted, said carrier being movable from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly to move said supporting means from a shoe and last receiving position to a position opposite to said sole pressing means prior to the sole pressing operation, devices mounted on said carrier and arrangedby engagement with each shoe at itstoe and'heelend's and at the oppositesides at the ball of the shoe to position shoes 01' different sizes in substantially the same relation lengthwise and widthwise to said sole pressing means, an abutment carried by said toe end engaging device for determining the lengthwise position of an unatitached sole with respect to the shoe bottom, separarate devices for engaging the sole at the opposite sidesat the ball of the shoe to position the sole laterally of the sole pressing means, and means for locking said devices in shoe and sole engaging positions in response to rearward movement of said carrier.

10. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last for the sole pressing operation, said supporting means being movable relatively to said sole pressing means to press the shoe and sole together, a carrier on which said supporting means is mounted, said carrier being movable from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly into a substantially vertical position prior to the sole pressing operation, devices mounted on said carrier and arranged by engagement with each shoe at its toe and heel ends and at the opposite sides at the ball of the shoe to position shoes of diiferent sizes in substantially the same relation lengthwise and widthwise to said sole pressing means, an abutment carried by said toe end engaging device for determining the lengthwise position of an unattached sole with respect to the shoe bottom, separate devices for engaging the sole at the opposite sides at the ball of the shoe to position the sole laterally of the sole pressing means, a single controlling member for operating all of said devices, and means for locking said devices against movement out of shoe and sole engaging positions in response to rearward movement of said carrier.

11. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a. shoe and its last bottom upward for the sole pressing operation comprising toe and heel-end supports, a carrier mounted for swinging movement from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly to move said supports from a shoe and last receiving position to a position opposite to said sole pressing means, means on said carrier for determining the proper relation of the shoe and an unattached sole lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe to said sole pressing means comprising members arranged to engage the shoe at its toe and heel ends and at the opposite sides at its forepart and other members arranged toengage the sole at its toe end and at the opposite sides at its forepart, power operated means for imparting to the carrier its rearward swinging movement and for moving the toe and heel-end supports relatively to the sole pressing means to press the sole and shoe together, and a member arranged to be depressed by the operator to move said members into shoe and sole engaging positions and to start said power operated means.

12. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last bottom upward for the sole pressing operation, a carrier mounted for swinging movement from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly to move said supporting means from a shoe and last receiving position to a position opposite to said sole pressing means, means on said carrier for determining the proper relation of the shoe and an unattached sole lengthwise and widthwise of the shoe to said sole pressing means comprising members arranged to engage the shoe at its toe and heel ends and at the opposite sides at its forepart and other members arranged to engage the sole at its toe end and at the opposite sides at its forepart, power-operated means for imparting to said carrier its rearward swinging movement and for thereafter effecting relative movement of said supporting means and the sole pressing means to press the shoe and sole together, manually operated means for moving said members into shoe and sole engaging positions and for subsequently starting said power-operated means, and means for locking said members against movement out of shoe and sole engaging positions in response to the rearward swinging movement of said carrier.

13. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last bottom upward for the sole pressing operation, a carrier mounted for swinging movement from a forwardly inclined position rearwardly to move said supporting means from a shoe and last receiving position to a position opposite to said sole pressing means, power operated means for imparting to the carrier its rearward swinging movement and for thereafter moving the supporting means relatively to the solepressingmeans to bring the sole of a shoe on said supporting means into engagement with said sole pressing means and to press the sole and shoe together, means on said carrier for determining the proper relation of the shoe and an unattached sole to said sole pressing means comprising devices for engaging the shoe at its toe and heel ends and at the opposite sides at its forepart and other devices for engaging the sole at the toe end and at the opposite sides at its forepart, and a lever arranged to be swung by the operator to move said devices into shoe and sole engaging positions and movable thereafter to start said power operated means.

14. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole-pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last at the forepart and the heel end for the solepressing operation comprising toe and heel-end supports movable lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of diiferent sizes, devices movable toward each other lengthwise of the shoe for positioning shoes of different sizes in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the shoe to said sole-pressing means, and mechanism operative in response to such movement of said devices for moving the toe and heel-end supports into positions to engage each shoe and last in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the shoe.

15. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole-pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last at the forepart and the heel end for the solepressing operation comprising toe and heel-end supports adjustable lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of difierent sizes, devices arranged by engagement with the toe end and the heel end of the shoe to position it in proper relation lengthwise of the shoe to said sole-pressing means, and mechanism controlled by one of said devices when in shoe-engaging position for determining the adjusted positions of said toe and heel-end supports.

16. In a machine for pressing soles on'the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole-pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last-at the forepart and the heel end for the solepressing' operation comprising toe and heel-end supports adjustable lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different sizes, devices mov- I able toward each other lengthwise of the shoe and arranged by engagement with the toe end and the heel end of each shoe to position shoes of different sizes in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the shoe to said sole-pressing means, and mechanism operative in response to such movement of said devices for adjusting the toe and heel-end supports, said mechanism being constructed to determine the adjusted positions of the supports in accordance with the 15v length of the shoebeing operated upon.

17. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole-pressing means, of meansfor supporting a shoe and its last at the forepart and the heel end for the sole- 20 pressing operation comprising toe and heel-end suPPQftsad-justable lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different sizes, shoe clamping means comprising devices for engaging each shoeat its toe and heel ends, mechanism for ime 25 parting. to said devices equal movements in oppof site, directions to cause shoes of different sizes to be positioned insubstantiallythe same relation n thwise of the shoe to said sole-pressing means, and means for varying the adjusted posi- 30 tions of saidtoe and heel-endsupports in accordance with variations in length of shoes of differm iz I 13, In amaohine for pressing soleson the bottoms vof shoes, the combination with sole press- 5 ing means, of means for supporting a shoe and (nits, last at the forepart and the heel end for the sole pressing operation comprising toe andheel- 1 I aiidlmember intoengagement with the toe end andithe heel end of-each shoe, and connections between said toe-end engaging device and said supports for movingthe supports into positions t engage each shoe and last in substantially the same relation lengthwise of they shoe.

.719. In a machinefor pressing soles on the bottonis of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for. supporting a shoe and its last at the forepart and the heel end for the 5 pressing'operatio'n comprising toe and heel-end supports adjustable lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different sizes, devices movable-toward each other lengthwise of the shoe to clamp each last and shoe and to position them in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the shoe to said sole pressing means, and a lever swingable in response to such movement of said devices for adjusting the toe and heel-end supports.

20. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last at the forepart and the heel end for the sole pressing operation comprising toe and heel- 70 end supports, means for positioning shoes of different sizes in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the shoe to said sole pressing means comprising devices for engaging each shoe at its toe and heel ends, andmechanism for moving 75 said devices into shoe engaging positions and for varying'the relative heightwise positions of said supports in accordance with variations in thickness between the foreparts and the heel ends of lasts of different sizes to cause each last to be'positioned with its bottom face at the toe and heel ends at substantially the same height irrespective of the size of the last.

21. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last'at, the'forepart and the heel end for the sole pressing operation comprising toe and heelend supports, a holder on which said supports are mounted to swing heightwise of the shoe about an axis extending laterally of the shoe, devices for positioning shoes of diiferent sizes in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the shoe to said sole pressing means by engagement with the toe end and the heel end of each shoe, mechanism for moving said devices into shoe engaging positions, and mechanism for imparting to said toe and heel-end supports in response to such movement of said devices swinging movements of different extent relatively to said holder for shoes of diiferent sizes, said mechanismbeing constructed to vary the relative heightwise positionsof said toe and heel-end supports in=accordance with variations in thickness between the foreparts and the heel ends of lasts of different sizes to cause each last to be positioned with its bottom face at the toe and heel ends in substantially the same heightwise relation to said, sole pressing means.

22.,In a -machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last at the forepart and the heel end for the solepressing operation comprising toe and heelend supports, a bar on which said supports are mounted for adjustment lengthwise of the shoe to accommodate shoes of different sizes, a holder to which said bar is pivotally connected for swinging-movements about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and located adjacent to the toe end of the shoe, and mechanism for positioning shoes of different sizes in substantially the same relation lengthwise of the shoe to said sole pressing means and for imparting to said bar swinging movements of different extent relatively to said holder for shoes of different lengths to vary the relative heightwise positions of said toe and heelendsupportsin accordance with variations in thicknessbetween theforeparts and the heel ends of lasts of different sizes. j

23. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with sole pressing means, of means for supporting a shoe and its last at the forepart and the heel end for the pressing operation comprising toe and heel-end supports, a bar on which said supports are mounted for adjustment lengthwise of the shoe, a holder to which said bar is pivotally connected for swinging movements about an axis extending laterally of the shoe and located adjacent to the toe end of the shoe, devices connected together for movement toward each other lengthwise of the shoe for positioning shoes of difier- 'ent sizes in substantially the same relation to said sole pressing means by engagement with the toe and heel ends of each shoe, a slide connected to one of said devices and movable lengthwise of the shoe into different positions for shoes of different sizes, said slide having an inclined bar engaging face arranged to cause swinging movements of different extent to be imparted to said bar by the movement of said slide into different positions for shoes of different sizes to vary the relative heightwise positions of said supports in accordance with variations in thickness between the foreparts and the heel ends of lasts of different sizes.

24-. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, the combination with means for supporting a shoe and its last for the sole pressing operation, of sole pressing means comprising a flexible pad for engaging the forepart, shank and heel-end portions of the sole of a shoe on said supporting means, means for effecting relative movement of the supporting means and the pad to bring the sole of the shoe into engagement with said pad and then to press the shoe and sole together, and separate means acting through the pad in response to said relative movement to apply difierent pressures to the entire forepart and shank portions respectively of the sole, said separate means being also adjustable independently of each other to vary relatively the pressures applied to the forepart and shank portions of the sole.

25. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, a flexible sole pressing pad shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the bottom of a shoe from its toe to its heel end, a flexible container for supporting said pad, said container having a plurality of separate fluid-filled chambers for engaging respectively the forepart and shank portions of said pressing pad, means for pressing a shoe and sole against said flexible pad, and separate means acting through said fluid-filled chambers to cause the pad to apply the forepart and shank pressures to different portions of the sole,

26. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, a flexible sole engaging pad shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the bottom of a shoe from its toe to its heel end, a flexible container for supporting said pad, said container having fluid-filled chambers separated by a rib extending laterally of the shoe and located substantially at the junction of the forepart and shank pressing portions of said pad, means for pressing a shoe and sole against said pad, and separate means acting through said fluid-filled chambers to cause the pad to apply greater pressure to the shank portion of the sole than to the forepart.

27. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, a flexible sole engaging pad, a flexible container for supporting said pad, said container having a plurality of separate fiuidfilled chambers, means for pressing a shoe and sole against said pad, confining means for said flexible container constructed and arranged to expose a portion of one wall of each of said fluid-filled chambers, a plunger for engaging the exposed portion of the Wall of each of said chambers, and separate spring means acting on said plungers to apply different pressures through said fluid-filled chambers to different portions of said flexible pad in the sole pressing operation.

28. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, shoe and last supporting means, sole pressing means comprising a flexible rubber pad, a flexible container for supporting said pad, said container having a plurality of fluid-filled chambers, confining means for said container comprising a cover plate having a plurality of recesses therein for exposing a portion of one wall of each of said chambers, means for mov ing the supporting means relatively to said pressing means to press the sole of a shoe on said supporting means against said pad, plungers slidably mounted in said recesses for engaging the exposed portions of the walls of said chambers, and separate spring means for exerting different pressures through said plungers on the exposed portions of the walls of said fluid-'filled'chambers to cause the sole pressing pad to apply different pressures todiiferent portions of the sole.

29. In a machine for pressing soles on the bottoms of shoes, shoe and last supporting means, sole pressing means comprising -a flexible rubber pad shaped to conform substantially to the contour of the bottom of a shoe from its 'toeto its heel end, a flexible container for supporting said pad, said container having fluid-filled chambers separated by a wall extending laterally of the pad and located substantially at the junction of its forepart and shank pressing portions, confining means for said container comprising a cover plate having recesses formed therein to expose a portion of one wall of each of said chambers, means for moving said supporting means relatively to said pad to press the sole of a shoe on said supporting means against the pad, plungers slidably mounted in said recesses for engaging the exposed portions of the walls of said chambers, and separate spring'means acting on said plungers to apply different pressures through said fluid-filled chambers to the forepart and shank pressing portions of said pad in the sole pressing operation. 7 I SIDNEY J. FINN. 

